The Deputy Secretary for Regional and Local Policy and Electoral Analysis of the Popular Party, Elías Bendodo, issued a harsh message this Tuesday against Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, following new information linking former minister José Luis Ábalos to alleged irregularities and corruption. Bendodo was blunt: “Neither Ábalos broke up with Koldo nor Sánchez broke up with Ábalos”, referring to the alleged continued relationship between the former Socialist minister and his former advisor Koldo García, as well as with the Prime Minister himself.
Bendodo made these statements after learning, according to the UCO, the existence of a house valued at two million euros in Colombia attributed to José Luis Ábalos, a property that would have been acquired when the former socialist minister was still in the political spotlight, specifically, at the time when he was defending the motion of censure that ousted Mariano Rajoy from the Spanish government in 2018.
A relationship that continues despite the scandal
The popular leader has assured that Pedro Sánchez maintains a direct political relationship with the former minister, despite the fact that the scandal known as the "Koldo case" is directly aimed at the Socialist leadership. Bendodo denounces that the PSOE has been unable to expel Ábalos from his militancy, despite having publicly announced that they had broken off relations with him.
"A year and a half ago they opened a file to expel him and they don't dare to take the step," Bendodo said, criticizing what he considers “a non-aggression pact” between Pedro Sánchez and his former deputy in the government and the Socialist Party. "They said they had broken up with Koldo. False. Ábalos and Koldo continue to work together. And Sánchez and his former minister continue to work together," the PP deputy secretary stated.
The shadow of corruption hangs over Ábalos and the PSOE
Elías Bendodo has described the situation that the Socialist Party is going through as a “shame”, stressing that the The Ábalos scandal is not just an isolated case, but it directly involves Pedro Sánchez's government. According to Bendodo, Sánchez's management has been marked by the complicity and protection of Ábalos, who, despite his involvement in the alleged crimes, remains part of the socialist structure.
"We are talking about a case of corruption that affects the Socialist Party and the Government of Pedro Sánchez and does not provide sufficient explanations," warned Bendodo, who recalled that José Luis Ábalos placed prostituted girls in public companies.
The demand for public explanations from Pedro Sánchez
The deputy secretary of Autonomous and Local Policy of the Popular Party has again demanded that Pedro Sánchez gives clear and forceful explanations on the situation of José Luis Ábalos and his connection to the Koldo case. Bendodo insisted that the Prime Minister must clarify why Ábalos remains a member of the PSOE, despite evidence that places him at the epicenter of one of the biggest corruption scandals in recent years.
"Pedro Sánchez has a lot of explaining to do. The first is why he keeps José Luis Ábalos as a member of the Socialist Party and doesn't expel him," Bendodo emphasized, who sees this attitude as a sign of hope. an attempt to protect his former number two and avoid further political wear and tear.
The Koldo plot continues to grow
The revelations by the UCO about the ownership of the house in Colombia valued at two million euros have revived the debate about the extent of corruption in Ábalos's inner circleBendodo has pointed out the paradox that this property was acquired while José Luis Ábalos He led the motion of censure against Mariano Rajoy, promising democratic regeneration.
The popular deputy secretary has been blunt: "Look at the paradox. Sánchez and Ábalos came into power promising cleanliness and transparency, and now they're tainted by corruption.".
The PP considers that the non-aggression agreement between Sánchez and Ábalos It represents a betrayal of the ethical principles that should govern political action, and demands an immediate response from the Executive.
Ábalos' current situation within the PSOE
Despite the seriousness of the events, José Luis Ábalos He is still listed as a member of the Socialist Party. Bendodo emphasizes that There is no effective measure that demonstrates a real break between Sánchez and his former minister., beyond public statements that do not correspond to the facts.
For Bendodo, this lack of forcefulness It proves that the Koldo case is a structural problem that affects the integrity of the current Government., with a president who refuses to definitively break with those under suspicion.
A Government cornered by corruption
The popular vice-secretary concluded his statements by assuring that The Ábalos case reflects the lack of credibility of Pedro Sánchez's government., unable to respond to citizens on a subject as sensitive as corruption.
"We're talking about a corruption case that affects the PSOE and Pedro Sánchez's government. And it doesn't provide sufficient explanations," Bendodo stated.
